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Compensation and Benefits

Simpson Thacher believes that we have the finest team of lawyers of any international law firm. We are committed to providing top compensation and benefits to our attorneys.

First-year associates earn a salary of $225,000. All associates in good standing receive a bonus at year-end. To enable new associates to get settled comfortably, the Firm offers a salary advance prior to joining the Firm. Our non-salary benefits are generous and competitive.

Benefits & Wellbeing

  • Subsidized health insurance for associates, their spouses, same-sex domestic partners and children, as well as dental and vision benefits
  • Access to same-day primary care services and 24/7 on-demand virtual care
  • Travel and lodging support for those who may need to access certain health care services that are not available within a 100-mile radius of the participant’s home
  • Healthcare decision support team that can explain benefits, locate providers, identify treatment costs, and research / dispute claims.
  • Through the Firm’s family building solutions provider, access to a premier network of fertility specialists and personalized emotional support and guidance from dedicated patient care advocates
  • Access to personalized mental health services, including therapy and coaching services, personalized care plans, and on-demand self-guided exercises for wellbeing support
  • Life, disability, and accident insurance
  • 401(k) plan participation
  • Healthcare pre-tax spending accounts
  • Pre-paid group legal services for estate planning and primary residence real estate transactions
  • Back-up emergency child and elder care services

Paid Time Off

  • Four weeks paid vacation
  • Paid Parental Leave: All parents, regardless of gender and/or caregiver status, are eligible for up to 12 weeks of Firm paid leave to care for and bond with their newborn or newly adopted child. Paid Parental Leave is in addition to any Disability Leave following childbirth, meaning that the total paid leave time for most birthing parents is 18 weeks.
  • Adoption/Surrogacy Leave and Stipend: An additional 6 weeks of paid leave in addition to Paid Parental Leave for all employees who are expanding their families through adoption or surrogacy, resulting in a total of 18 weeks of Paid Parental and AS Leave time. The Firm also offers an Adoption/Surrogacy stipend.
  • Salary continuation benefits through short- and long-term disability programs

Other Benefits:

  • Subsidized tutoring and college admission support services for dependent children
  • A variety of flexible working arrangements
  • Pet Insurance
  • Reimbursement for incoming first-year associates for relocation costs (including broker fees)
  • Reimbursement for bar review, bar application fees, bar dues and two bar association memberships
  • Free private banking at Citibank
  • Fully subsidized on-site cafeteria
  • Subsidized health club membership
  • Pre-tax commuter benefits for mass transit and parking expenses
  • Matching donations to law schools
  • Budget for client development (for senior associates, or with partner approval)
  • Social events, including happy hours, coffee hours and practice group outings
  • $2,500 Technology Stipend
  • Visa assistance to associates who are non-U.S. citizens
  • Established relationships with several outside vendors that specialize in student loan refinancing